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News from Castello di Amorosa

March 9, 2011 |
The Castello |
Jim Sullivan

News from Castello di Amorosa

Peter Velleno Promoted to Associate Winemaker at Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa, Dario Sattui’s authentically-styled 13th century Tuscan castle and winery in Calistoga, is pleased to announce that Peter Velleno has been promoted to Associate Winemaker from Assistant Winemaker. He will have overall responsibility for crafting all wines in collaboration with Brooks Painter, Director of Winemaking.

”Pete has shown himself to be a skillful and creative Winemaker who excels in managing our wine quality and Production Team” said Painter. “His background in technical winemaking is matched both by his talents as an artistic blender and his determination as a manager to seek out the best wines we can possibly produce.”

Before joining Castello di Amorosa in 2008, Velleno worked at William Hill Winery as Assistant Winemaker.

“We are very pleased with the direction of our winemaking,” said Castello di Amorosa President, Georg Salzner. “Peter’s focus is on crafting wine of exceptional quality, balance and style that truly reflects the terrior of the Napa Valley.”

Velleno holds a B.S. in Fermentation Science from the University of California, Davis. He was born and raised in San Francisco where he and his two older brothers were the fifth generation of their family to the born in the city. Today, Velleno, his wife, Lauren and their daughter make their home in Napa where they enjoy playing tennis, biking, cooking and spending time in the Napa Valley.

Following fourteen years of construction, Sattui opened Castello di Amorosa on April 9, 2007. Situated in the hills above Calistoga, Castello di Amorosa- a family-owned business- produces world-class wines which are sold only at the winery direct to the consumer. The castle winery was made with brick, wood and iron imported from Europe and combined with over 8,000 tons of local, Napa Valley stone. Today, Castello di Amorosa, a popular Napa Valley destination, offers a variety of wine tasting and touring options in a unique Tuscan castle setting.

Jim Sullivan has been promoted to Vice President, Public Relations and Marketing at Castello di Amorosa, Dario Sattui’s authentically-styled 13th century Tuscan castle and winery. Sullivan will spearhead the Castello’s publicity and marketing initiatives. He will report directly to Georg Salzner, President of Castello di Amorosa.

“I’m proud to congratulate Jim on his promotion to this new position and look forward to his continued professional growth in the wine industry,” said Georg Salzner, president of Castello di Amorosa. “He is an asset to our winery, and I know he will continue to provide exemplary leadership for our organization.”

With over 20 years of marketing, public relations and business development experience with professional motorsports teams and in a variety of healthcare organizations in Southern California, Sullivan first joined Castello di Amorosa in 2008 as Public Relations and Marketing Manager.

Sullivan holds an MBA from the University of Redlands and a Bachelor of Science from Central Washington University.